Brownsville Community Action Energy Assistance Program Begins

LIHEAP CRISIS ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
Community Action of Southern Kentucky will begin operating the “Crisis” portion of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) on January 7, 2019.  The program is operated on a first come first serve basis until Federal funds are exhausted.  LIHEAP assists households that are in a home heating crisis.  The deepening of cold winter weather combined with rising utility costs leaves many households unable to fully meet heating bills or purchase sufficient bulk fuel to keep their families safe and warm. 

Last year over 391 households in Edmonson County received financial assistance and emergency services from the LIHEAP Crisis component.
 
A household shall be considered to be in a home heating crisis situation when the household meets the basic LIHEAP eligibility criteria and:

• the household is within four (4) days of running out of fuel if bulk fuel (coal, fuel oil, propane, kerosene, or wood) is the heat source;

• the household has received a past due/disconnect notice if natural gas or electric is the heat source; or

• The household’s home heating costs are included as an undesignated portion of the rent, and the household has received an eviction notice for non-payment of rent from the landlord. 
• Pre-Paid Electric customers are eligible to receive LIHEAP assistance if they certify that they have 10 days or less of pre-paid electric remaining.         

For all bulk fuels (wood, coal, propane, fuel oil, kerosene) verification of a crisis situation may be self-declaration by the applicant.  For natural gas and electric heated households, the applicant must present an appropriate disconnect notice from the vendor. The benefit amount that each household receives will be based on minimum amount necessary to alleviate the crisis.  All eligible households will receive a benefit, although a co-payment may be required. Benefits will be made payable to the household’s heating fuel vendor.

Applications will be taken at convenient Community Action locations. Applicants are encouraged to apply at the location nearest to them in their county of residence. For days, hours of operation, and locations, contact your local Community Action Community Services Coordinator Regina Vessels, P.O. Box 342 Brownsville,Ky. 42210,  270-597-3912, rvessels@casoky.org

LIHEAP is a statewide initiative sponsored by Community Action Kentucky in partnership with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS).
​
Community Action of Southern Kentucky staff provides opportunities for individuals and families to be self-reliant. Learn more at www.casoky.org.
​